Sixteen more fighters were trimmed from the UFC roster on Monday,
according to UFCFightersInfo, a
Twitter account which scans the UFC’s fighter database for changes
and deletions. According to a recent report from Swedish outlet
MMANytt.se, the number of released fighters could grow to as
many as 50.

The promotion has yet to announce a list of cuts, but several of
the fighters on the list have taken to social to confirm their
release. One of them was heavyweight Soa Palelei,
whose release comes as something of a surprise given the
Australian’s 4-2 record in one of the company’s thinnest divisions.
The 37-year-old “Hulk” announced that he will no longer compete in
mixed martial arts.

“I’ve had a great time, but feel it’s time to focus on my family
and other career interests,” Palelei wrote on
Twitter. “After several months of thought and discussion with
my family and my team, we realize our future includes many things
in MMA, but active competition in the sport is no longer one of
them. This isn’t goodbye, as I will still be very much involved in
the sport but just not as a fighter.”

The remaining cuts consisted of eight welterweights, six
lightweights and one middleweight, the complete list of which is as
follows: